Why Flutter Is The Primary Choice For Mobile App Development?

If you run an analysis regarding the development and usage of mobile applications in the last couple of years, you will find Android applications have exceeded 100 thousand remarks per month while iOS crossed 30 000+ releases.

These numbers reflect the immense dominance of mobile app development in the digital marketplace.

Meanwhile, many small and mid-sized mobile app developers started implementing the latest framework and language to deliver feature-rich mobile applications.

In contrast, a cross-platform framework like Flutter has gained immense popularity and has become the primary choice for developing unified mobile applications.

But what makes Flutter the top pick for dynamic mobile app development is still a hot discussion amongst experts, developers and the app development community.

And to help them conclude a better opinion, here we come with an in-depth explanation of Flutter App development and its benefits.

So, let's start with:

What is Flutter?

Flutter is an open-source UI toolkit developed by Google to create native mobile and multi-platform apps using a single codebase.

That means developers can build Android and iOS applications using a single codebase, and there's no need to write different code for these operating systems.

Flutter was released in May 2017, and it has helped developers achieve greater efficiency by enabling its wide set-up SDKs, libraries, APIs, documentation, etc.

This Google-built framework consists of two cutting-edge components, such as:

SDK (Software Development Kit)

A SDK is a tool that helps developers streamline the mobile app development process. Using SDK, developers can comprehensively compile their code into a native machine and use it on Android and iOS.

Widget-based UI Library

First and foremost, Flutter is a UI toolkit consisting of various UI elements for both platforms.

The essential part is all those elements, including sliders, buttons, and text inputs, can be reused. Besides that, Flutter uses the Dart programming language based on JavaScript and helps developers explore advanced front-end development methods.

Benefits of Flutter App Development

Let's review the top 10 benefits of Flutter App development in a nutshell:

Cross-platform compatibility

Being a mobile app developer, it's a relief knowing that few frameworks are available that ensure easy cross-platform compatibility, and Flutter is one of many.

You can access Android and iOS development methods using Flutters' single codebase, and it also reduces development time and cost and ensures an easy app development process.?

Improves productivity

When you quickly develop Android and iOS applications using a single codebase, it's inevitable that your team productivity will touch new heights.

Moreover, Flutter comes with native widgets that significantly reduce app testing time by ensuring compatibility with various operating systems.

Quick to learn and use

Flutter comes with straightforward learning and operating methods. Flutter developers can create mobile applications without OEM widgets or a thousand-line code.

Also, for those familiar with React Native - Another open source, the cross-platform framework won't take much time to learn and use Flutter in the first place.?

Cost-effective

Building two separate operating systems using a single codebase and development cycle is the most convenient way of cost-effectiveness.

It helps you cut the coding effort and development cost by half straightforwardly. By all means, you will be able to launch both Android and iOS applications quickly and on a limited budget using Flutter.

High-end User experience

Flutter offers a bundle of ready-made widgets to create mobile applications. Everything comes under the widget category, from button to font, which can be combined to form more complex layouts.

Compared to other layouts such as views and controllers, Flutter's widget techniques allow a consistent object model and easy-to-use development process. ?

All these widgets can be reused and customized to create an impeccable and user-friendly user interface.

Most importantly, Flutters are designed like a tree, making it crucial to plan if you plan to work on large projects.

Best MVP Builder

MVPs have become an integral part of any start-up and enterprise that helps validate the project idea and bring in the initial funding from various investors.

MVPs are tiny, standard app versions with minimal yet essential features that are easy to build and launch.

MVPs were designed to test the concept and collect the first feedback that helps make an app better in the subsequent irritation. Flutter is a decent choice for building MVPs as it has extensive SDK, making it easy to understand and learn, that delivers excellent apps.

Time-to-market speed efficiency

Gradually, compared to any other frameworks, Flutter only requires half the time to develop an application for Android and iOS due to the single codebase efficiency.

It means developers don't need to spend extra time writing different codebases for different os and use it to run the app on multiple devices. Plus, it offers a declarative API that helps build appealing interfaces, helping boost the overall app performance.

Strong documentation and community support

Due to the Google effect, Flutter assures clean and precise documentation and healthy community support, such as Flutter Community and Flutter Awesome, which helps developers exchange ideas and solve problems quickly.

Hot Reload Feature

Flutter's Hot reload feature allows developers to make necessary changes to the code structure and watch them take effect in real-time while neglecting to reboot the entire app. It significantly saves hours of valuable time.

Pixel Rendering Feature

The best thing about Flutter is that it manages every pixel on the screen. It ensures that all widgets look the same on every mobile device, removing essential device support distress.

It also enables developers to create the same user interface that looks the same on Android and iOS using a single codebase.

Potential Drawbacks of Flutter App Development

Now that we have enlisted key benefits of Flutter development, it's time to look at some potential drawbacks to understand the frameworks entirely from the inside out.

Large file sizes

Every time developers take any new project, irrespective of the framework and programming language they use; their main motive is to wrap up the app in minimal size so that it could give users a seamless experience.

To do so, most developers avoid using animation and large images and use small pictures and file sizes. In this contrast, Flutter lacks this functionality, and all its files, image, and widgets tend to consume a larger space than usual.

Lack of iOS support

It's obvious, isn't it! Despite the cross-platform compatibility, Flutters lacks support for iOS, and it is understandable as Flutter is a Google product, and Google's major work happens with Android.

The common problem is that most of the SDK that works appropriately in ANdroid shows the issue in iOS devices.

Platform limitations

Like many other frameworks, Flutter does have some limitations.

For example, you can quickly implement a video player in Flutter, but it can't guarantee the same performance upon deployment.

However, there's a solution for all these limitations; you only need to find the appropriate one, which is time-consuming.

Password management support inefficiency

If you have decided to use your features instead Flutter native widgets, you will undoubtedly encounter some problems in the app development.

Flutter applications many times struggle with autocomplete input fields. You may find some interlude extracting passwords from pre-built or third-party password managers.

Challenges in hiring a Flutter App developer

Flutter is a new segment that has recently started to catch up.

Only a few mobile application development companies have a complete Flutter development team, assuring Flutter development efficiency as a complete package. So, it might be challenging for you to find Flutter App developers straightforward on your own.

Popular Apps Developed Using Flutter!

Google Ads

We all know what Google Ads are used for, but many didn't have any idea that it was developed using Flutter.

If not the desktop version, then the mobile version was created using Flutter, which assures quick access to statistics, bid and budget updates, helpful alerts, and keyword altering.

Google Pay

It is no surprise knowing that google Pay was developed using Flutter. After all, Flutter is also a Google-based framework.

Given the Flutter feature-rich components, the team has ensured Google Pay is secure, reliable and bug-free in all circumstances.

Reflectly

Reflectly is an AI-driven app based on cognitive behavioural therapy and meditation. Using the app, users can easily cope with day-to-day stress and stay positive, irrespective of the obstacles.

The inclusion of Flutter in developing this app has increased its performance, ensuring real-time updates and alerts.

Xianyu

With over 10,000,000+ installations on record, the Xianyu app was developed to boost Alibaba cooperation sales. Flutter is a fast, robust and scalable framework which is why the Alibaba cooperation went for it in the first place.

Postmuse

The immense popularity of Instagram has encouraged many developers to try their hands at various tools that support editing and managing the might Instagram platform.

Out of many, Postmuse is one such app built by using Flutter provides editing options for Instagram stories and photos.

Alternative Comparison

If you are still scratching your head in picking Flutter as your primary choice for robust mobile app, then here's a brief comparison of Flutter with its competitors:?

Flutter vs React Native

React Native and Flutter have been widely adopted and loved by enterprises in building dynamic, cross-platform applications.

Along with the release date, React Native in 2015 and Flutter in 2017, many prospects signify the sheer differences between these two open-source frameworks, which are:

• React Native comes with an easy learning curve since its codebase is based upon JavaScript compared to Flutter, which uses Dart language.
• Developers aspiring to use Flutter must learn Dart first, as React Native can be used directly with basic Javascript knowledge.
• Both Flutter SDKK and React Native installations are straightforward. And the components in it are Preety essential, and only a few are adaptive compared to Flutter.?
• Flutter widgets are based on material design, making them customizable. And coming to the performance, Flutter is way faster than React Native as it uses Javascript to bridge native components, and Flutter eliminates that need.

Flutter vs Ionic

Flutter is highly popular for its ability to create original and favourable animations, assuring an easy and quick user experience.

Whereas Iconic uses front-end technologies for rendering, making the apps slower than Flutter apps.

However, the main difference between Flutter and Ionic regarding performance is the code and app size.

Flutter requires thousands of lines of code, even for the essential apps, while Ionic uses standard browser runtime, which reduces the coding size and format. Lastly, the Ionic framework is much easier and simpler to learn than Flutter.

Flutter vs Xamarin

Apart from many significant similarities, both these competitors possess the ability to handle complex projects.

Flutter consists of excellent tooling support for testing and CI/CD, making it a more suitable choice for complex projects. However, Xamarin might be better if you need faster development than Flutter.

Most importantly, Xamarin falls under the expensive category, and you need to account for the licensing costs of Microsoft Visual Studio IDE when considering Xamarin.

Bottom Line!

This sums up our comprehensive guide on what makes Flutter the go-to choose for mobile app development for many enterprises worldwide in recent times.

Flutter has helped in creative budget-friendly cross-platform native apps that are currently ruling their respective domain without mishaps.

If you are looking forward to exploring more about this Google-based open-source platform in your mobile app development segment.

In that case, we suggest you hire Flutter App developers from Metizsoft Solution - A renowned flutter app development company, on a monthly, hourly or full-time basis according to your budget and requirements.?